Free Dial-a-Ride service
The Dial-a-Ride service is an ideal solution for those who cannot access shops, doctors, services, and local meetings. It offers door-to-door transport with low floor easy access minibuses.
For South Gloucestershire residents this service is free with the National Travelcard. To use this service you must first register with your local community transport group, which can be done free of charge – click on the links to community transport on the right hand side for more information.
Free use of the local Shopmobility scheme
Shopmobility provides use of wheelchairs – both manual and electric – and shopping scooters, to make doing your shop easier. Within South Gloucestershire this service is available at Yate Shopping Centre, Thornbury and Staple Hill.
South Gloucestershire residents with a National Travelcard can use this service for free. To contact the Shopmobility scheme visit www.shopmobilityuk.org
Discounted voluntary car share schemes
In rural areas of South Gloucestershire where access is limited, local groups have established networks of volunteer car drivers to provide transport for essential journeys.
Schemes registered with the council provide a discount for National Travelcard holders. For details of car schemes, please contact the rural transport officer at Community Action on 01275 393837.
Discounted railcards
Senior citizen and disabled railcards can be purchased from South Gloucestershire Council at a discounted rate of £16. This will entitle all holders of the railcard to a third off standard rail fares.
If you own a concessionary National Travelcard and are 60 years old or over, you are automatically eligible for this offer. For those with disabilities there are certain criteria you must meet. To meet the criteria for the disabled people's railcard you must:
- Be registered as having eyesight difficulties
- Be registered deaf or use an NHS hearing aid
- Have epilepsy and have repeated attacks even though you receive drug treatment
- Receive Attendance Allowance
- Receive Disability Living Allowance - at the higher rate or lower rate for getting around (mobility) for one year or longer or at the higher or middle rate for help with personal care
- Receive Severe Disablement Allowance
- Receive long-term Incapacity Benefit
- Receive War Pensioner's Mobility Supplement
- Receive War or Service Disablement Pension for 80% or more disability, or
- Buy or lease a vehicle through the Motability scheme
Children with disabilities aged from 5 to 16 years may also be eligible if they meet the criteria (see the website www.nationalrail.co.uk for further details).
There is also an option for a three year disability railcard at a cost of £48,(for this option applications should be made directly to the address on the application form and not through the council).
Application forms are available from libraries, one-stop shops, all council offices and the following post offices:
Acton Turville, Alveston, Badminton, Charfield, Cromhall, Easter Compton, Longwell Green, Mangotsfield, Marshfield, Old Sodbury, Oldland Common, Olveston, Pucklechurch, Rockhampton, Tytherington and Wickwar.